Shawn Silva's TealogShawn Silva's tealog on Steepsterhttp://steepster.com/
Hand Picked Tieguanyin Spring Oolong (2011) from Verdant TeaThis Tieguanyin is nothing short of amazing! Upon opening the bag, the smell was incredible and I knew I was in for a surprise. On the first infusion, it was creamy, floral, and mixed with multiple layers of flavor.
The second infusion was just as good if not better and now that the leaves have opened up.
The taste was slowly fading but still very noticeable and lasted through 4 western style infusions. Very highly recommended for anybody that likes Tieguanyin.Tue, 12 Jun 2012 05:51:16 -0400/teas/Hand%20Picked%20Tieguanyin%20Spring%20Oolong%20(2011)/20060-hand-picked-tieguanyin-spring-oolong-2011?note=116985
Sun Dried Jingshan Green from Verdant TeaThis green tea is something of a marvel. I usually don't prefer green tea late night, but this was an exception. The flavor was grassy but with a hint of sweetness though all 4 infusions. For anybody that likes green teas, this is a must try.Tue, 12 Jun 2012 05:55:39 -0400/teas/Sun%20Dried%20Jingshan%20Green/21312-sun-dried-jingshan-green?note=116987
Autumn Laoshan Green from Verdant TeaTue, 12 Jun 2012 05:57:43 -0400/teas/Autumn%20Laoshan%20Green/24154-autumn-laoshan-green?note=116988
Laoshan Black from Verdant TeaThis is by far one of my favorite black teas. I had to go through 4 different tastings on 4 different days with multiple people each time to make sure I wasn't crazy. Something about the complexity and the aroma pull me in every time. Mind you this is even before I drink my first cup.
I can't fully explain the complex flavor, but I can say that through the 3 steepings, this tea is just flat out amazing each time. I promise you will not be disappointed. Even if you dislike black tea you have to try this. It is that good. Tue, 12 Jun 2012 05:58:29 -0400/teas/Laoshan%20Black/20064-laoshan-black?note=116989
Yunnan White Jasmine from Verdant TeaI like to believe that I have an unbiased opinion when trying a new tea. When this tea arrived, I was still new to teas and had only tried about 5 different kinds of white teas. I have to say I was taken in by this on my first pot and it didn't hit me until my second infusion that this tea might be the one. 3 months later, I know that it is.
This is my #1 white tea of all time and has accompanied me on my romantic dinners, sweet moments, and rough nights. This is literally my go to tea. In fact I'm currently drinking it as I write this.
I just wanted to test the waters and make sure that this was as good as I thought, so I went to about 10 different tea websites and purchased every white jasmine, jasmine pearl, and jasmine silver needle I could find. From jasmine pearl master teas, to superior grade silver needle, this tea has no equal.
I have almost tried to oversteep and bitter the tea, understeep and not obtain flavor, and over cook with 212 degree water but all to no avail. This tea is not only delicious, but will withstand any and all mistakes you might make in the brewing, still coming out like a champion. I recently bought my second batch and will absolutely get a third.
Be warned. If you try this tea you might not like the others jasmine teas as you once did. Happy drinking!Tue, 12 Jun 2012 06:02:08 -0400/teas/Yunnan%20White%20Jasmine/22979-yunnan-white-jasmine?note=116990
Fujian Jasmine Pearls from Adagio TeasThese pearls arrived in a beautiful tin which was a good start to this tea. The pearls aroma was silky smooth and I have been anticipating this tea since before I ordered it.
On my first pot, I let it steep for 1:45 and the tea came out with a hint of bitterness. Although delicious, it tasted a little burnt.
On my second infusion, I lowered the time to 1 minute and the water temp to around 190 and it was much better but still not perfect.
Third infusion was also a little bitter but I wasn't sure if it was the time, or the temperature.
I made this tea multiple times adjusting the amount of pearls, time, temperature, and covering the pot, and I got it right a few times where the taste was just perfect.
I want to give this tea a solid 95 for taste, but it is just so delicate and needs to be absolutely perfect to come out right. If any mistake is made, the punishment is harsh.Tue, 12 Jun 2012 06:13:46 -0400/teas/Fujian%20Jasmine%20Pearls/11507-fujian-jasmine-pearls?note=116991
Sticky Rice Pu-erh Tuocha from Chicago Tea GardenBefore you read this review, you should know that I have only tried a few puerhs and I don't feel fully qualified to give all the tasting complexities and details.
That being said, this puerh is AWESOME! I mean it smells and tastes like sticky rice. The whole experience is amazing. The taste is just perfect and every sip comes with the initial sticky rice flavor, followed by a very earthy and dirty puerh taste but in a good way, if that makes any sense.
It is hard to describe but I think this may be one of my favorite puerhs for a while and I see it being very hard to beat.
You must try this tea purely for the interesting flavor. But you better hurry! Chicago tea garden is closing and only have a few 500g bags of this left.Tue, 12 Jun 2012 06:56:03 -0400/teas/Sticky%20Rice%20Pu-erh%20Tuocha/11660-sticky-rice-pu-erh-tuocha?note=116993
Ye Sheng Hong Cha (Yunnan Wild Black Tea) from Norbu TeaThis wild black tea is quite different but in a similar way. It has all the characteristics such as a malty and woody flavor of a good black tea, yet there is something quite different.
When I took my first sip I noticed there was a kick of something I rarely taste in black tea. I can't quite put my finger on it but it was a good surprise. If you are looking for something different then give this a try.Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:31:22 -0400/teas/Ye%20Sheng%20Hong%20Cha%20(Yunnan%20Wild%20Black%20Tea)/28166-ye-sheng-hong-cha-yunnan-wild-black-tea?note=117970
Nantou Spring Tips Green Tea from Norbu TeaThis tea is very fresh and crisp. You can taste hints of light floralness. It steeps quite well and the leaves look beautiful.Wed, 20 Jun 2012 04:08:03 -0400/teas/Nantou%20Spring%20Tips%20Green%20Tea/28179-nantou-spring-tips-green-tea?note=118012
Jade Dragon - 2011 Spring Yunnan Green Tea from Norbu TeaThis green tea is exceptionally green. The grass notes was very apparent and the flavor is strong. The second steep was much more suitable for me and I found the flavor to be less overwhelming. It is good, just be ready for a lingering kick!Thu, 21 Jun 2012 03:53:38 -0400/teas/Jade%20Dragon%20-%202011%20Spring%20Yunnan%20Green%20Tea/23136-jade-dragon-2011-spring-yunnan-green-tea?note=118142
Mango Black Tea from thepuriTeaOne of my favorite black teas. From the second I drank think I could not believe that it was just over $1 per ounce. It's taste is very fresh and tastes very "real".
With of tea of this price I wouldn't expect it to steep more than once, but I got 3 and almost 4 steeps from it with great flavor each time.
You can taste a high quality black tea behind the hint of sweet mango and it has a sort of light crisp flavor.
This also makes exceptional iced tea. I have purchased twice already and I will be making a third and forth purchase.
Did I mention how kind the people at thepuritea.com are? I had a mistake on my order and they sent me my correct order with a plethora of free samples all free of charge. I didn't even pay shipping. They responded to my email both times within an hour. Their customer service is among the highest I've ever seen.
The whole experience was excellent. That is all :)Thu, 21 Jun 2012 03:59:57 -0400/teas/Mango%20Black%20Tea/12842-mango-black-tea?note=118143
Wuyi Mountain Big Red Robe from Verdant TeaThis tea is quite an exceptional oolong. It has a slightly roasted flavor and is very deep and complex. It is quite sweet and lasts through at least 4 infusions in which the flavor changes and progresses. It starts dark and ends sweet. If you like roasted oolongs then this is definitely one to try.Thu, 21 Jun 2012 04:21:19 -0400/teas/Wuyi%20Mountain%20Big%20Red%20Robe/21313-wuyi-mountain-big-red-robe?note=118146
Taiwan Jin Xuan Milk Oolong Tea from TeavivreThis milk tea is quite fantastic. This arrived in a sample pack and looked and smelled wonderful. The leaves were rolled very tight, and I have honestly never seen such a large amount of unrolled leaves come from 2 initial teaspoons.
The tea itself was very good and have a great milky floral flavor. I am so amazed at the differences from this and regular high mountain oolong. This was a very pleasant tea to drink and lasted for 3 full western style brews. I highly recommend this to anybody wanted to see why milk oolong is so much different than regular.Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:32:12 -0400/teas/Taiwan%20Jin%20Xuan%20Milk%20Oolong%20Tea/23208-taiwan-jin-xuan-milk-oolong-tea?note=119790
Organic Nonpareil Silver Needle White Tea (Bai Hao Yin Zhen) from TeavivreTue, 03 Jul 2012 22:58:53 -0400/teas/Organic%20Nonpareil%20Silver%20Needle%20White%20Tea%20(Bai%20Hao%20Yin%20Zhen)/21802-organic-nonpareil-silver-needle-white-tea-bai-hao-yin-zhen?note=119792
Jasmine Silver Needle White Tea (Mo Li Yin Zhen) from TeavivreAs I opened this tea I took a good long smell and the aroma was slightly overpowering. I have drank plenty of good and bad jasmine silver needles and from the strong smell, I was anticipating a soapy type flavor.
Well I was dead wrong.
This tea has a lot of flavor alright, but it was not overpowering at all. It was very gentle with a delicious jasmine taste that topped off the beginning and end of each sip. The man or woman who made this tea must have been highly skilled because it is very difficult to make a perfect jasmine white tea.
This tea is up there on my list and I feel as though it could almost rival thepuritea's white jasmine or even my Verdant's jasmine silver needle!Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:00:00 -0400/teas/Jasmine%20Silver%20Needle%20White%20Tea%20(Mo%20Li%20Yin%20Zhen)/26693-jasmine-silver-needle-white-tea-mo-li-yin-zhen?note=119793
Bailin Gongfu Black Tea from TeavivreThis tea was a nice surprise yesterday morning. I had it with breakfast and even while eating a high fat, high sugar meal, I could taste the strong as well as subtle flavors in this tea. I can't pin point exactly what I tasted, but I can say that it was a very refreshing black tea. Most black teas are extremely complex and while this is by no means simple, it feels like this could be drank hot even on a hot day. The flavors are very clean and apparent from the first sip to the last. Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:04:14 -0400/teas/Bailin%20Gongfu%20Black%20Tea/21658-bailin-gongfu-black-tea?note=119794